until justice and right rule once more in Europe."

"Vive la France!" cried Jacques lustily. He had been sitting on the
edge of one of the bunks attentively listening to the foregoing
conversation.

"Vive la France!" echoed Earl and the rafters of the ramshackle old
barn shook with the violence of the cheer.

"Inspection is at two and the review at three," Dubois reminded his
comrades when they had settled down to a normal state again.

"Then we haven't much time, have we?" exclaimed Leon. "Let's get
ready."

At two o'clock, to the second, the _douzieme_ infantry was lined up for
inspection. Every man's uniform had been cleaned, his shoes polished
and his rifle oiled and rubbed. They all wore the steel helmets
adopted by the army since the outbreak of the war; these light metal
head coverings had saved many a life and prevented many a wound. In
the trench warfare the majority of the wounds are apt to be in the
head, for that is all that shows to the enemy; consequently the steel
helmets had proved themselves most useful.

A short time later the regiment marched off down the road towards the
large open plain where the review was to be held. From all directions
came other troops all heading towards the same spot. Bands played and
the scene was indeed a gala one. Few dress uniforms were to be seen
however. Occasionally some high officer, resplendent in gold lace,
whirred past in his motor-car, but as a rule the troops all wore their
service uniforms.

On one edge of the plain the _douzieme_ halted. Regiments filed by,
some on foot and some on horseback; batteries of field artillery
rattled past. A murmur of approval swept along the line as the men
recognized the famous 75-millimeter guns, the best field artillery in
the world. These guns were the pride of the French army.

At length the _douzieme_ swung into place and preceded by thousands and
followed by thousands it swept along. As far as the eye could see in
front and behind appeared a forest of rifles, the keen-edged bayonets
gleaming in the sun. It was a most impressive sight and one to inspire
confidence. The grim-visaged men were not soldiers in name only but
warriors in every sense of the word.

Far across the field marched the _douzieme_ and passed along in front
of those who were there to review it. The troops all held their guns
at attention as they passed and were unable to catch a very clear
glimpse of the little group of men who sto